Alex and Andy - The Proposal

Photography: Danni Beach Photography

“Andy proposed to me on a very cold day in the Marquess of Anglesey pub in Covent Garden before a family dinner,” says Alex. “It wasn’t a one-knee job – you couldn’t move for crowds and Andy had found a quiet corner with a sofa where he popped the question with a very sparkly ring!” The couple wanted a classic, vintage look with a contemporary, relaxed twist for their big day and Buxted Park Hotel fitted the bill perfectly with its classic architecture, which was perfect as a backdrop for their photos. They chose a blue and silver theme with touches of pink throughout the flowers.

Alex and Andy - Civil Ceremony

Alex and Andy had a civil ceremony in the Library at Buxted Park. “The room had an amazing fireplace and chandelier so we didn’t need too much decoration,” says Alex. “We just had two vases of flowers, lemons, limes and cherries and simple chair covers with navy blue sashes.”

Alex’s sister read The Most Wonderful Of All Things In Life by Sir Hugh Walpole, and the couple chose some interesting music to complete their ceremony… “I walked down the aisle to a string version of Madonna’s Crazy For You and we signed the register to the Rolling Stones’ Under My Thumb – only a few people really picked up on the irony though!” The couple walked out to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. “The ceremony was very emotional and I could hardly look at Andy for fear of crying,” added Alex.

Alex and Andy - Post-Ceremony

Alex wore a strapless A-line dress with lace embroidery and a train by Allure Bridals, which she bought from Ring O’ Roses.

“I borrowed my sister’s veil and tiara, my something old was my square diamond stud earrings and my something blue was my Mum’s dipped pearl bracelet,” says Alex. Andy wore an Italian suit with a tie and hanky made from the same materials as the bridesmaids’ dresses.

Emma and Jonathan - Bride with bridesmaids

“My bridesmaids, who are two of my closest friends, wore navy blue taffeta prom dresses by Jasmine Bridal,, which we found at Bell’ Amoré, Bexleyheath,” says Alex. “They wore the sweetie bracelets with rose quartz that we bought them as gifts, to tie in with the pink flowers, and closed-toe silver shoes.”

Andy and Alex - The Flowers

Alex wanted a simple, striking bouquet, which would complement the detailed embroidery on her dress. “I chose peonies and gerberas – they’re some of my favourite flowers and were luckily in season,” she says. “I carried a white hand-tied posy and the bridesmaids had pink – the big blooms looked great.”

Andy and Alex - Table Flowers

The reception was held in the Orangery at Buxted Park Hotel. “We lined the passageway from the hotel to the Orangery with silver tealights and petals, which looked beautiful,” says Alex. “The table centrepieces were classic candelabra with roses, peonies, gerberas and foliage wrapped around them, by our florist The Flower Studio. We kept the rest of the decoration crisp white, blue and silver which looked really light and clean.”

Andy and Alex - Table Flowers

The top table had mirrored glass vases filled with the same flowers and fruit as at the ceremony, which gave off a lovely scent.

Andy and Alex - Stationery ties

“We had favours for the ladies, which were silver handheld fans with personalised ribbon,” says Alex. “For the children we made up bags with colouring books, plastic mugs and bubbles to keep them entertained during the speeches.”

Andy and Alex - Stationery cards

The place cards, menus and table plan were designed by Alex\'s friend’s boyfriend. “It really set the theme and standard for the day and tied everything together – it was great!” says Alex. The hotel catered for the wedding, providing a delicious menu including prawn cocktail, chicken wrapped in Parma ham, roasted Mediterranean vegetable tart and passionfruit cheesecake, as well as an evening barbecue with homemade burgers and Old Sussex sausages.

Alex and Andy - The Cake

“We opted for small cupcakes and a larger cutting cake, so that nothing would go to waste!” says Alex. They chose lemon and marzipan cupcakes with individual boxes, so guests could take them away if they wished, from Konditor & Cook. “The larger cake had a marzipan bride and groom with silver glitter and the cupcakes were decorated with either Champagne glasses or the words ‘I do’,” says Alex.

Alex and Andy - Evening Entertainment

The party went on into the night with guests dancing to 80s and 90s classics from DJ Andy at Sound Division. “Our first dance was to Paul Weller’s version of Thinking Of You,” says Alex. “The party was supposed to finish at midnight, but the dancing went on and finished up in the hotel bar. One of our guests even got up to sing his very own version of Soft Cell’s Tainted Love! If Carlsberg made wedding parties, ours was probably the best,” added Alex.